Israeli politicians hail author Grossman's historic literary win

sraeli author David Grossman poses for photographers after he received the Medicis Foreign book award for his novel "Une femme fuyant l'annonce".
(photo credit:REUTERS)

Politicians from all sides of the Israeli political spectrum praised Israeli author David Grossman on receiving the prestigious Man Booker International Prize award in London on Wednesday night for his recent work "A Horse Walks Into a Bar."

Minister of Culture and Sport, Miri Regev, dubbed Grossman a "winning horse" in the national and international culture and literature arenas.

Israeli Parliament Member and Chairman of the Yesh Atid party, Ofer Shelach, praised Grossman describing him as, "a rare kind of author who successfully integrates big steps with writing that causes enjoyment, and therefore so many people around the world read and love his work." On a personal note Shelach added that, "Anyone who knows the wise and honest man will rejoice for him."

Other politicians turned to Twitter to express their praise to David Grossman for wining the Man Booker International Prize.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett tweeted that Grossman brought great honor to the state of Israel.

Former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon tweeted that Grossman's work is a source of national pride, and from now on, world too.

Chairman of the opposition, Isaac Herzog, also took Twitter to praise Grossman saying, "His voice and his pen are clear and piercing, leaving a great mark."

The prestigious Man Booker Award has been presented since the 1960s, and the International Prize since 2005. The International Prize is awarded for an English translation of a book by a living author of any nationality.

Last year, The Jerusalem Post reviewed the translation of A Horse Walks into a Bar saying: “In little more than 200 pages, Grossman brings us to the nerve center of his psyche.”

Grossman has won the Sapir, Bialik and Emet prizes. His 2008 novel To The End of the Land was translated into many languages and his 2000 work Someone to Run With was the basis for an Israeli thriller movie.